Category Archives: Business

Over 39,000 Users Voluntarily Surrender LPG Connections as PNG Adoption Rises

New Delhi, Apr 20 (BNP): A nationwide appeal to encourage a shift towards cleaner cooking fuel has gained strong response, with more than 39,000 piped natural gas (PNG) users voluntarily surrendering their LPG connections, according to official data.

The initiative, aimed at promoting cleaner and more efficient energy usage, is part of the government’s broader push to expand the adoption of piped natural gas as a primary cooking fuel in urban households.

Authorities noted that the growing preference for PNG reflects increasing awareness about convenience, safety, and environmental benefits associated with cleaner fuel alternatives compared to traditional LPG usage.

Officials said the response highlights a gradual behavioural shift among consumers, supported by expanding gas distribution infrastructure and improved last-mile connectivity across cities.

The move is also aligned with India’s long-term energy transition goals, which focus on reducing dependence on high-emission fuels and encouraging cleaner household energy solutions.

Industry observers believe that as PNG networks expand further, more households are likely to transition, supporting both sustainability objectives and energy efficiency targets.

Overall, the trend indicates rising acceptance of cleaner cooking fuel solutions, marking a steady shift in India’s domestic energy consumption patterns.

Meesho Allocates Over 94.79 Lakh Shares to Employees Under ESOP Scheme

TAC Infosec’s Arm Cyberscope Web3 Security Partners with Pionex to Align Security with Trading and Exchange-Ready Environments

Mumbai, Apr 20: Cyberscope, the Web3 security subsidiary of TAC InfoSec Ltd. (NSE: TAC), has entered into a strategic partnership with Pionex, a centralized cryptocurrency exchange known for its built-in trading bots and retail trading infrastructure, as the company expands its presence within trading and exchange-related environments in the digital asset ecosystem

The collaboration is focused on aligning security validation with stages where projects are preparing for trading activity, liquidity expansion, and broader market participation. As digital assets move closer to exchange readiness, the need for structured security validation continues to gain importance.  

Pionex provides infrastructure for retail-focused cryptocurrency trading, including integrated trading tools and automated strategies. Through this partnership, Cyberscope’s capabilities in smart contract auditing, protocol assurance, and compliance will be positioned to support projects operating in or preparing for exchange-linked environments.  

The partnership reflects an evolving requirement within Web3, where security is increasingly being considered in the context of trading readiness and ecosystem participation, rather than only during development phases. As projects transition toward broader market access, security validation plays a role in supporting reliability and user confidence.

For Cyberscope, the collaboration extends its engagement into stages of the digital asset lifecycle where trading activity and liquidity become central. This includes environments where projects interact with exchanges and user-facing trading platforms, making security an important component of overall ecosystem trust.

The move builds on Cyberscope’s ongoing efforts to align with multiple layers of the blockchain ecosystem. The company is active within the TON ecosystem, a Layer 1 blockchain network, and has previously announced a collaboration with Circle, the issuer of USDC, focused on supporting secure and compliant digital asset infrastructure.

“Trading environments introduce a different set of considerations for Web3 projects,” said Saransh Rawat, CTO at TAC Security and President of Cyberscope. “Security validation plays an important role as projects move toward broader market participation. Our partnership with Pionex is aligned with supporting that transition in a structured manner.”

The partnership comes as digital asset markets continue to evolve, with increasing participation from retail users and growing expectations around security, transparency, and reliability across trading platforms.  

Cyberscope continues to expand its presence across global blockchain ecosystems, with capabilities spanning smart contract auditing, protocol assurance, and compliance.

SAEL Launches 600 MW Solar Plant in Andhra Pradesh, Boosts Clean Energy Capacity

India, South Korea Push to Upgrade CEPA to Deepen Trade and Investment Ties

Rupee Edges Higher to 92.78 as Crude Oil Slumps Over 5 pc, Easing Import Pressure

Trade Deals, Softening Oil Prices May Help Narrow India’s Trade Deficit: BoB Report

New Delhi, Apr 20 (BNP): India’s record trade deficit is expected to ease in the coming months, supported by anticipated trade agreements and a possible decline in global crude oil prices, according to a recent report by Bank of Baroda.

The report notes that elevated imports, particularly of energy products, have been a key driver of the widening trade gap in recent months. However, easing geopolitical tensions and improved global supply conditions could help stabilise oil prices, providing relief to India’s import bill.

At the same time, ongoing and potential trade deals are expected to improve export competitiveness and support outbound shipments, contributing to a gradual correction in the trade imbalance.

Economists highlighted that India’s external sector remains sensitive to fluctuations in global commodity prices, especially crude oil, which accounts for a significant share of import costs.

The report suggests that a combination of favourable global price trends and stronger trade linkages could help bring down the trade deficit from recent record levels in the near term.

Overall, while external risks remain, the outlook points toward a more stable trade environment if current trends in oil prices and trade negotiations continue.

MSME Manufacturing Sees Steady Growth, But Global Tensions Weigh on Momentum

PM Modi to Inaugurate Mega Refinery Petrochemical Project in Rajasthan

New Delhi, Apr 20 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan on Tuesday to inaugurate India’s first greenfield integrated refinery and petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Balotra.

The project, built with an investment of over ₹79,450 crore, is among the largest energy infrastructure developments in the country. Officials said it marks an important step in expanding India’s refining capacity while strengthening its petrochemical manufacturing base.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The integrated facility is expected to enhance domestic production of key petrochemical products, reduce import dependence, and support industries such as plastics, textiles, fertilisers, and packaging.

Authorities noted that the project will also contribute to regional development by creating employment opportunities and encouraging industrial growth in Rajasthan.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a public gathering, where he is expected to highlight the project’s significance in advancing India’s energy security and industrial self-reliance.

The refinery-petrochemical complex is seen as a key addition to India’s energy infrastructure, aligning with the country’s long-term goals of boosting manufacturing capacity and meeting rising energy and industrial demand.

Dubai’s leading developers have sold vast majority of homes scheduled for delivery this year

fäm Properties analysis shows city’s 4-year pipeline 71.45% committed, as absorption rate leaves major global markets far behind

Dubai, UAE, 20^th April, 2026:  Dubai’s leading developers have already sold the vast majority of homes scheduled for delivery in 2026, while buyers have also snapped up 71.45% of the city’s total off-plan pipeline due for completion between 2026 and 2029. 

A market analysis issued by fäm Properties today reveals a sustained alignment between supply and demand across one of the most active launch periods in the emirate’s history, maintaining an historic absorption rate that leaves other major global cities far behind. 

Data from DXBinteract shows that in 2026 alone, ten of Dubai’s major developers are scheduled to deliver 43,217 units, of which 41,015 are already sold, resulting in a blended absorption rate of 94.91%. 

Across the four-year pipeline from 2026 to 2029, all Dubai developers combined have 426,182 units scheduled for delivery, with 304,493 already sold, a level of buyer conviction few residential markets anywhere in the world have come close to matching. 

“Dubai continues to demonstrate a level of forward demand that is structurally different from most international property markets,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties. 

“When nearly all of next year’s deliveries and more than 70% of the next four years are already sold, it fundamentally changes how supply risk and market stability should be assessed. 

“This reflects the confidence that buyers, both regional and international, have placed in a market built on transparency, strong regulatory foundations and a long-term vision that continues to attract commitment well ahead of delivery.” 

Within the 2026 pipeline, absorption is consistently high across all of the market’s leading developers. Emaar has sold 99.1% of its 9,085 scheduled units, Meraas 99.77% of 2,615, with Dubai Holding and Meydan both fully sold out. 

DAMAC stands at 99.17% and Danube at 99.55%, while Binghatti, carrying the largest single volume with 20,906 units due this year, has sold 87.31% of them. 

Spanning the full market, encompassing tens of thousands of homes launched across one of the most active periods of project activity the emirate has seen, the data tells a consistent story. 

Of the 111,408 units scheduled for delivery in Dubai in 2026, 87,514 have already been sold, an absorption rate of 78.55%. In 2027, 87,840 of 133,618 units are sold at 65.74%. 

In 2028 the figure stands at 71.97% with 89,879 of 124,889 units already placed, and in 2029, 39,260 of 56,267 units are sold at 69.77%. Across all four years, 304,493 of 426,182 tracked units have a buyer behind them, a blended rate of 71.45%. 

For context, since records began, the entire Dubai market inventory stands at 548,106 units launched, 400,038 sold, and an aggregate absorption rate of 72.99%. The four-year forward pipeline is performing in precise alignment with Dubai’s long-run market average. 

In London, one of the world’s most established residential markets, just 8,436 new private homes were sold across the whole of 2025, according to data from Molior and research from Knight Frank published in early 2026. 

This shows how rarely even the most mature markets sustain the level of forward absorption that Dubai has recorded across its entire active pipeline. 

PROJECTS TO BE HANDED OVER IN 2026 BY MAJOR DEVELOPERS

FOUR-YEAR DELIVERY PIPELINE FOR ALL DEVELOPERS